Galaxy of Stars

A Galaxy of Stars at Sherborne Literary Festival 
This October Sherborne Literary Society are set to welcome a diverse smorgasbord of authors and speakers for its seventh Literary Festival.
From bestselling authors, to biographers, novelists, politicians and historians, the impressive five-day festival which will celebrate two special anniversaries, will feature informative and interactive talks in venues around Sherborne sparking creativity, laughter and discussion among the community.

The festival will open (10th October, 11am, Digby Hall) with an epic exhibition to commemorate the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 40th anniversary and its author, Stalbridge’s literary and multi-media legend Douglas Adams. Bringing together members of the original cast and crew, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, video clips and props, as well as Douglas Adams’ family and friends, the two-part festival item will share how the worlds of Arthur Dent, Slartibartfast and twin-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox came to be.

Thursday (11th October, 11am, Digby Hall) will see Maria Wingfield Digby revisit the life of one of the Elizabethan era’s and Sherborne’s best loved characters, Sir Walter Raleigh (or Ralegh as he preferred to be spelt) 400 years on. Credited with introducing tobacco and potatoes in England, this is the tale of one man’s ascent from relatively humbled origins to international legend, leaving his mark not only on Sherborne, but on much of Europe and America too.

Based on his Sunday Times bestseller ‘M’, Henry Hemming will reveal the dramatic true story of a maverick M15 officer, Maxwell Knight - M15’s greatest spymaster - in a gripping, interactive talk on the Thursday evening (11th October, 7pm, Digby Hall). A fascinating item following the Salisbury novichok poisoning earlier this year, it will feature a song and game to find out which member of the audience would make the perfect spy. Hemming tales of two remarkable female spies who were recruited by Knight in the 1930s to penetrate the British Communist movement is one not to be missed.

​The festival will round off on Sunday with Kevin Davies and Friends Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Part 2 (14th October, 12pm, Digby Hall), and a talk by Mark Price author of Fairness for All and Workplace Fables (2.30pm, Digby Hall). Working for the John Lewis Partnership for over three decades, Price’s books explore the Partnership’s ways of working which has employee’s well-being at its heart, the latter modern business fables with morals drawn. The audience will be invited to question Mark on these books as well as from his recent past as Trade Minister in a pre- and post- Brexit referendum.
Author of 26 books Max Hasting will be among bestsellers including Gill Sims sharing her comical novel Why Mummy Swears, Lord Peter Hain the former British anti-apartheid leader reflecting on Mandela’s remarkable story, and Mark Kermode as he recounts his foolhardy attempts to fulfil his dreams of stardom in How Does It Feel? A Life of Musical Misadventures – there may even be some music too.
Supported by Sue Cameron’s superb schools programme, local children will hear from a variety of lively and interesting writers throughout the week and will have the chance to enter the Creative Writing Competition for Juniors (Years 5 & 6) and Seniors (7,8 & 9) launching this year.
For the full programme and ticketing information please visit www.sherborneliterarysociety.com or call 01935 815341.

Sherborne Literary Society website